September 22, 2026 - World Leaders Gather at UNGA

Frank Morano is a New York City councilman who represents Staten Island. I follow him on X, and his post Monday afternoon caught my eye:

"Every conservative that doesn't want to associate with progressives and every left winger who thinks Republicans are subhuman should take some inspiration from the Mayor and the President and try to have a relationship with people you vehemently disagree with. Love this!"

I had watched the presser with President Trump and Mayor Mamdani while working out, and I'd had the same reaction. Here were two of the most polarizing figures in American politics, at one of the most charged moments in our history, and there they stood on the lawn of Gracie Mansion, calm, cordial, talking about what they might do together. Immigration. A housing project at Sunnyside Yard. Trump's memories of the place going back to his real estate days.

My appreciation for the collegiality doesn't blind me to the rest. This is the same president who, two days earlier, revoked the press credentials of CNN, MS NOW and Politico and was sued for it Monday. And this is the same mayor who filmed a commercial outside Ken Griffin's $238 million Central Park South penthouse to sell his pied-à-terre tax. Neither man is a model of restraint. For what it's worth, every outlet was represented at Gracie Mansion.

It reminded me of Christmas, when I've wondered why we can't bottle that feeling and keep it for the other 364 days. The cynic in me asks what's in it for each of them. A president who runs against socialists needs a socialist he can do business with. A mayor who needs $21 billion needs a builder in the Oval Office.

I don't know. But I like it.

##

The U.N. General Assembly opens as world leaders confront escalating wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, shifting alliances, economic uncertainty, climate-related disasters, pandemic concerns and a growing funding crisis, while diplomats question whether the U.N. can restore cooperation and predictability in an increasingly unstable world. President Trump is set to address the group.

Associated Press

Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN said they will stop rotating pool coverage of President Trump after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the building, prompting the banned outlets to sue on First Amendment grounds.

The Hill

President Trump told New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani he could be "a great mayor" after a roughly 90-minute Gracie Mansion sit-down focused on immigration, Haitian migrants' legal status and Mamdani's $21 billion pitch for federal help building affordable housing over Sunnyside Yard.

New York Post

A 29-year-old man allegedly opened fire on a Belleville police officer stationed outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Ontario, Canada as congregants gathered for Yom Kippur, critically wounding Const. Jeff Smith before officers returned fire and left the suspect hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

CBC

California AG Rob Bonta and 11 other states settled their antitrust suit against David Ellison's $111 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, extracting behavioral commitments on domestic film output, LA studio lots, cable channel affiliate deals and independent editorial boards at CBS News and CNN, but no divestitures.

The Hollywood Reporter

Lindsay Clancy’s attorney is asking a judge to investigate the lone juror who voted to convict her, citing alleged cellphone use during deliberations and questions about his truthfulness during jury selection and when questioned by the judge, after the jury deadlocked 11-1 over whether Clancy was criminally responsible for killing her three children.

Associated Press

The Trump White House defended its removal of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the grounds, arguing that press access is a privilege and citing past instances of Obama and Biden administrations restricting or surveilling unfriendly outlets.

The White House

Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin argues that with nearly half of Americans no longer identifying as Democrats or Republicans, backing independent candidates is the best way to shake Congress out of its partisan gridlock.

The Washington Post

Jason Gay argues that the Oregon Duck’s 84-0 rout of Portland State raises questions about whether running up the score in lopsided college football games crosses the line from dominance to poor sportsmanship.

The Wall Street Journal

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he has lost 80 pounds since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago and starting a GLP-1 medication, crediting the treatment along with improved diet and exercise for significant changes in his health.

Politico